Pittsburg, PA
Proposal in front of city council wants to give $1 million to VisitPittsburgh for 2026 NFL Draft
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It’s still more than a year and a half before the NFL draft comes to Pittsburgh, but city leaders are trying to get their ducks in a row.
A Pittsburgh City Council proposal wants to give $1 million to VisitPittsburgh to organize the draft efforts. District 9 Councilman Khari Mosley feels the money is an investment. He hopes the NFL draft, with its hundreds of thousands of fans, give the city a return on its investment.
The idea behind the bill is to let the city’s tourism bureau, VisitPittsburgh, handle what is expected to be one of the biggest tourist events the region has ever seen. According to VisitPittsburgh, this funding is one of the first steps in getting from the bid phase to building for the draft. Most building cost for the draft is incurred by the NFL.
“What they work with the host city on is a budget to really support lasting community impact for the draft,” VisitPittsburgh spokesperson Emily Hatfield said.
Councilman Mosley said this funding is best used by VisitPittsburgh as it is the tourism expert for the region. He said it does not have an exact source yet but said it won’t come from everyday services.
“I was assured prior to our council session that it’s not taking away from any city operations or city programs,” Councilman Mosley said.
With many city leaders expressing concerns over the city financial future, the councilman says the city has the money to do this. He feels making this investment to better the event not only could better the community but also help create more of a financial return with the draft.
“This event is going to bring millions and millions of dollars back to the city. So, I think this is an event we are going to get a considerable return on,” Councilman Mosley said.
VisitPittsburgh said some of the work being done for the draft will hopefully create lasting impacts for the city, including green spaces, infrastructure improvements and working with small businesses.
Being 18 months out, much of it is still in development.
“While you might not see the visible impacts of those plans just yet, know there is a lot of work and progress behind the scenes,” Hatfield said.
Councilman Mosley plans to meet with other council members to figure out where this money is coming from.
The Wisconsin Badgers are the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off champions.
Wisconsin, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 7-0 by coming back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Pittsburgh (6-1) 81-75 Sunday evening in West Virginia. The comeback completed a sweep of the showcase, having defeated Central Florida in their first game of the tip-off on Friday afternoon.
John Tonje led the Badgers with 33 points. The star guard was 11-of-19 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. It’s his second 30-point game of the season; his first was a 41-point explosion in Wisconsin’s win over then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-8 lead nearly 10 minutes into the first half before the Badgers clawed back to within 34-27 at the half.
In the second half, Pittsburgh kept the Badgers at bay, leading 50-45 with 12:22 to go before Wisconsin went on a run and grew a lead to 71-64 with 4:15 remaining.
The Badgers have scored at least 79 points in all seven games this season, which is a program first.
Up next: Wisconsin vs. Chicago State, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.
A busy fall for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson has come to a close.
Team USA wrapped its run in the WBSC Premier12 with a 6-1 win over Venezuela to win the bronze medal on Saturday. They also beat Venezuela 6-5 in the Super Round of the Premier12 on Friday and wrapped up the tournament going 2-2.
Chinese Taipei shut out Japan in the championship game 4-0 to win the Premier12 and hand them their first loss in international play since 2019. Team USA lost to Japan 9-1 and Chinese Taipei 8-2.
Johnson went 1-4 with one run scored and a walk and one strikeout on Saturday. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, the Pirates’ left-handed hitting middle infield prospect singled to center field with one out in the top of the sixth inning. He stole second base, then came around to score with two outs on an infield single from Tampa Bay Rays left-handed hitting outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.
Team USA went 5-4 in the Premier12. In the previous Premier12, the US finished in fourth place.
Johnson struck out and walked in his next two at-bats. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 75 prospect in baseball hit .310/.414/.429 with one home run and two RBIs in nine games. He also walked six times and struck out nine times.
Before playing in the WBSC Premier12, Johnson played in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting prospect batted .250/.444/.475 with one home run and four RBIs across 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He also walked 14 times and scored nine runs.
Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh spent time with High-A Greensboro (110 games) and Double-A Altoona (14 games) in 2024. He batted .237/.366/.386 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in his 124 games played.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.
Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.
The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.
“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.
She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.
“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”
Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.
“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”
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